You know, at this point I think Deng is my choice as well. I think he's a better option than Iguodala, definitely, and I think the Bulls *should* be motivated to get a high-quality PG who can start all year in 2012-13. Unless they've simply written off this season while they wait for Rose to return. Jose seems like a perfect one-season solution, doesn't he?

Calderon and Ed works. Exchange Davis for James Johnson if they'd prefer a SF in return.

I was initially high on Deng, but worry that with him continuing to put off surgery and reinjuring himself, that there could be too much risk involved. The fact that he is younger and under contract longer than Iggy are both positives, but I worry that he's a much bigger injury risk.

I was initially high on Deng, but worry that with him continuing to put off surgery and reinjuring himself, that there could be too much risk involved. The fact that he is younger and under contract longer than Iggy are both positives, but I worry that he's a much bigger injury risk.

i am really on the fence with iggy and deng i cant make up my mind. I think if we can give up only calderon/ed or amir/JJ for either one id do it...but anything else is too much imo.

i am really on the fence with iggy and deng i cant make up my mind. I think if we can give up only calderon/ed or amir/JJ for either one id do it...but anything else is too much imo.

Amir/Davis, JJ, Calderon and/or Bayless are all 100% expendable now, so giving up any/all of them to improve the starting SF position wouldn't really be any loss at all, thanks to the depth BC has built.

It would be worth looking into Deng, Iggy and Gay (though I'm certain Gay at least would require DeRozan in return, which I would do in a heartbeat).

Rudy has (IMO) 2nd worst contract (after J Johnson). What did Hawks get for Joe? There is a reason why.
We CANNOT take on such a contract (unless it is a proven, solid all star. I am sorry but Gay is a very good player, but marginal all star IFF that).
How far did Gay lead Memphis (much better rest of the team than us) to?
Neither Iggy nor Gay is worth it.

Rudy has (IMO) 2nd worst contract (after J Johnson). What did Hawks get for Joe? There is a reason why.
We CANNOT take on such a contract (unless it is a proven, solid all star. I am sorry but Gay is a very good player, but marginal all star IFF that).
How far did Gay lead Memphis (much better rest of the team than us) to?
Neither Iggy nor Gay is worth it.

Gay would be an enormous upgrade over any of our current wings and he's only 25 (will be 26 next season). Yes his contract is big (average $17.9M over next 3 seasons), but it wouldn't be a horrible cap hit if Toronto sent out some substantial salary in return (ie: some combination of Calderon - $10.5M, Amir - $6M, DeRozan - 3.3M, JJ - $2.8M, Davis - $2.2M, Bayless - $4+M).

It's not entirely fair to compare Gay to Joe Johnson.
Gay: 26 years old next season, average $17.9M over next 3 seasons
Johnson: 31 years old next season, average $22.3M over next 4 seasons

We can then utilize JJ or Kleiza more at the PF spot and play very fast, using Amir as the bench C.

On top of all this, Deng's surgery is much less of a big deal - considering Fields ability to play big SF minutes.

IMO Deng makes a lot more sense (esp as above deal: for Jose & Ed) than either Iggy or Gay.
1. Deng is much better scorer than Iggy.
2. Deng is a much better defender than Gay.
In both cases Deng makes a lot less money (esp as compared to Gay).
Bulls might be desperate enough to go for this (they get a salary break in 2nd year & an adequate temporary replacement at PG till Rose gets back, as well as more than adequate replacement for Asik)

Gay would be an enormous upgrade over any of our current wings and he's only 25 (will be 26 next season). Yes his contract is big (average $17.9M over next 3 seasons), but it wouldn't be a horrible cap hit if Toronto sent out some substantial salary in return (ie: some combination of Calderon - $10.5M, Amir - $6M, DeRozan - 3.3M, JJ - $2.8M, Davis - $2.2M, Bayless - $4+M).

It's not entirely fair to compare Gay to Joe Johnson.
Gay: 26 years old next season, average $17.9M over next 3 seasons
Johnson: 31 years old next season, average $22.3M over next 4 seasons

6 Players you mentioned above (Jose, DD, JJ, Ed, Amir & Bayless) COMBINED make less than $54 mil coming to Gay.
1 or 2 or even 3 of those guys might be spare parts -but you need to replace (and pay) the rest.
Still think it makes sense?
Don't get me wrong. Rudy is a clear upgrade at SF, but $18 mil annually simply makes no sense (and yes it is fair to compare Gay to JJ: JJ might be older but he still contributes and is an all star).
Second comparison: Compare above 6 guys to players Nets sent to Hawks -You don't think they are not worth $4.4 mil (diff between Gay's & JJ's salary)?

IMO Deng makes a lot more sense (esp as above deal: for Jose & Ed) than either Iggy or Gay.
1. Deng is much better scorer than Iggy.
2. Deng is a much better defender than Gay.
In both cases Deng makes a lot less money (esp as compared to Gay).
Bulls might be desperate enough to go for this (they get a salary break in 2nd year & an adequate temporary replacement at PG till Rose gets back, as well as more than adequate replacement for Asik)

as long as we don't have to give up on Demar. It could be his breakout year.

6 guys you mentioned above (Jose, DD, JJ, Ed, Amir & Bayless) COMBINED make less than 54 mil coming to Gay.
1 or 2 or even 3 of those guys might be spare parts -but you need to replace (and pay) the rest.
Still think it makes sense?
Don't get me wrong. Rudy is a clear upgrade at SF, but 18 mil annually simply makes no sense (and yes it is fair to compare Gay to JJ: JJ might be older but he still contributes and is an all star).

Yes, I think Gay is absolutely worth it. Assuming Calderon isn't part of the team moving forward, the only big cap-hits Toronto has are (next season numbers):

Toronto would have the cap room to afford Rudy Gay, so I don't really care how much he costs - I'm not paying him. Is he perhaps a few million overpaid? Probably. But he is young and would be a part of the Raptors' young core group of players for the next 5-8 years.

A Toronto wing rotation of Gay/Kleiza at SF and Fields/Ross at SG would be fantastic. DeRozan and JJ wouldn't be the least bit missed.

And remember, DeRozan and JJ both expire after next season, meaning they'd both be in line for big paydays. DD's qualifying offer is a little over $4.5M and JJ's is a little over $3.95M. Davis' contract also expires after next season, but the Raptors have 1 more option year ($3.15M) and then after two seasons his qualifying offer is a little over $4.36M. That is 3 big paydays for the young/cheap players that many seem reluctant to trade for a proven borderline all-star like Rudy Gay, so those 3 big paydays need to be factored into any financial comparison as well.

I understand reluctance to go after Iggy or Deng, given their age, injury history and contract size. However, I think Gay is one SF that is a no brainer to go after, offering up Calderon & DeRozan & Davis & JJ.

did the memphis grizzlies say that hasheem thabeet was a better replacement to marc gasol when they picked him at 2..no because he didnt play a minute in the league and coundt keep up. I hope TR doesnt end up like thabeet but its not a gaurentee he will be good let alone be a starting 2 as rookie

Yet, word is, that at the time they drafted him because they didn't have a lot of faith in Gasol. Just an aside.

He gets paid like basketball royalty when he's upper middle class at best

This is true, but we would get Vucevic as well, who, if Apollo is right (and I think he is) will be a very servicable rotation big man. And he is very cheap; 1,7 this year with teamoptions for 2 13/14 and 14/15 for 1,7 and 2,7. Iguodala is on the book for this year and can opt out after this year. He might do that if he wants longer term security even if it's for less money (see Richard Jefferson for unexpected opt outs) and get something like 30/40 for 3/4 years. If you think Vucevic is crap look only at Iguodala's salary; otherwise look at the combination.

I don't really mind which way we go, I'm easily satisfied. I do think Iguodala is a better fit with Lowry because of his passing (compared with Deng). I'm actually not minding any talk about the treadmill of mediocrity and stuff; I think there is upside, but more importantly, I'd like to get mediocre for once!

Yup. But they still need a PF (they only have Thad Young and Moultrie) and PG (they only have Holiday).

I wonder if Calderon & Davis would be enough for Iggy, allowing Toronto to upgrade the starting SF position and add veteran leadership, without having to giveup DeRozan. I'd even throw in JJ.

id be surprised if phili gave up iggy for calderon,davis and JJ..i think they would shop him for picks. If BC can swing iggy for those 3 guys i think we are a legit playoff contender...might even get the 4th or 5th seed

I would personally like to see Davis stay and develop another few years with the Raps more than I would Derozan.

My ultimate preference would be for Calderon/Amir/JJ going. I expect Philly would want Davis (younger & cheaper) instead of Amir. After signing Nick Young to backup Evans, I doubt Philly would have as much need for DeRozan (and I'd prefer not to give him up, unless for Gay).